Dr Ivan Raymond May is an Alumni of the University of the Witwatersrand, where he obtained his BSc Honours in 1969, Master of Science in 1970, Doctor of Philosophy in 1974 and Master of Business administration in 1976.

A former Research Fellow at the Wageningen University Netherlands and Research Assistant and Lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand, he laterserved in leading positions and on the Boards of several organisations and companies, including Greatermans Department Stores, Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide and Nedcor Ltd. (from where he retired in 2003).

Dr May is actively involved in organisations focussing on charity, business and social issues in South Africa, such as Charities Aid Foundation, Business and Arts South Africa, the Order of St John in South Africa, the Market Theatre Foundation and the Salvation Army.

He has received numerous and prestigious awards in acknowledgement of his work in various fields, like the Endangered Wildlife Trust Cheetah Award, the WWF Gold Medal as well as awards by the Marketing Federation and the Association of Marketers of South Africa. As a World Fellow of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, he received a Knighthood of Justice of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem from her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Dr Mayis the President of Convocation of the University of the Witwatersrand, and he is an elected member of Council and Senate.